Control arrangement for automatic washer



1963 J. D. EDWARDS ETAL 3,114,252

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed May 25, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M10 [MI/672275 715'" J7 fzofierf D. jficz vfer' Jarnea .D. Edward; and

Dec. 17, 1963 Filed May 23, 1962 J. D. EDWARDS ETAL 3,114,252

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I l Jamsfi Edy/c2 ra and louzlifiyye @mrefia 77172 572 an Dec. 17, 963 J. D. EDWARDS ETAL 3,114,252

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT F OR AUTOMATIC WASHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 vim *QkQE kudthk Filed May 23, 1962 1???" JQWZEJ' D. and e andrefi arrinyfon;

United States Patent Ofi 3,114,252 Patented Dec. .17, 1963 ice 3 114 252 CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER This invention relates to a control system for automatic clothes-cleaning machines.

Automatic clothes-cleaning machines are conventionally provided with an electric control arrangement including a timer adapted to sequentially control the cleaning cycles of the machine by operating a cam or cams to actuate switches of the electrical control system in a predetermined time sequence without care or attention of the machine by the operator. In certain types of such machines as, for example, in commercial coin-operated washers, the sequential controller is in the form of a timer operating substantially continuously for a predetermined amount of time necessary to satisfactorily wash and centrifugally dry the clothes. ventionally provided with a two-speed transmission or a two-speed motor, and frequently with both, to provide various combinations of speeds including a slow clothestumbling speed and several high centrifugal Water extraction speeds. Such washers also have provision that, in the event the door should be opened by the operator, operation of the machine is stopped providing an obvious safety feature. During the period of time that the door remains open, the sequential controller or timer continues to operate to rotate its cam or cams to continue the sequential washing, rinsing, and the centrifugal extraction cycles of the machine. When the door is opened and washer operation stops, the clothes within the basket drop into the bottom of the basket producing a state of unbalance of the basket. When the door is closed again, power is restored to the various electrically operated components of the machine and, as the timer may now have operated to provide the high speed water extraction cycle of the machine, the basket rotates at a very high speed and, as the clothes are contained within and remain in a small area in the bottom of the basket when the basket stopped, the unbalanced basket will gyrate and. vibrate violently entailing rough and noisy operation of the washer and also considerable strain and possible damage to the washer. i

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electrical control arrangement for automatic clothes-cleaning machine and adapted to prevent high speed rotation of the basket from a stopped condition of the basket.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved electrical control arrangement for automatic clothes-cleaning machines and effective to prevent high speed rotation of the basket from a stopped position when the cycle sequence controller or timer is conditioned for initiating high speed operation of the basket.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical control arrangement for an automatic clothescleaning machine and embodying means for delaying high speed rotation of the Washer from a stopped basket condition until low speed rotation of the basket has been established.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical control arrangement for a clothes-cleaning machine and having means for gradually increasing the speed of rotation of the basket from a stopped basket position and also for delaying high speed rotation of the basket until These washers are coninitial low speed rotation of the basket occurs, when the cycle sequential timer control is in its high speed setting.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the novel constructions, arrangements, and devices hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects and such other objects as will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a coin-operated clothescleaning machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the transmission of the machine, said section being'taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. '5 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of a control system for the machine illustrated in FIGS. 1-4; and

FIG. 6 is a sequence control timer cam chart illustratis illustrated a clothes-cleaning machine which, for eX- ample, may be a coin-operated clothes-washing machine, the numeral it? designates the cabinet in which the present Washing apparatus is disclosed. This apparatus comprises an imperforate casing 11 having a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13, the casing 11 being fixedly secured to the cabinet 10 by any suitable means (not shown). Access opening 14 is provided in the front wall of the casing 11 and a corresponding opening 15 is provided in the cabinet 10. A gasket 16 connects the two openings and a door 17 is provided to close the opening 15.

A basket 13 is disposed within the casing 11 for the reception of clothes to be washed and is rotatably supported by means ofa spider 19 on a sleeve shaft 20 attached to the rear wall 13 of the casing 11. A pulley 21 is fixedly secured to the shaft 20 and is adapted to be rotated by a belt 22 and output pulley 23, connected to the driven shaft of a two-speed transmission 24. The transmission drive shaft is connected to input pulley 25, and a belt 26 connects the pulley 25 to a pulley 27 driven by a two-speed electric motor 28. The electric motor has a 6-pole Winding energizable to provide low speed operation of the motor and also having a 4-pole winding energizable to provide high speed operation of the motor. The transition from low speed to high speed of the transmission 24 is controlled by a clutch actuated by a solenoid to provide the high speed of the transmission.

The transmission is shown in FIG. 4 and is of the constant mesh countershaft type having a sleeve input shaft 29 drivingly connected to an input pinion 30 meshing with the countershaft gear 31. 'The countershaft gear 31 is mounted on a countershaft 32 having a clutch coil spring 33 surrounding and connected to the shaft 32 and disposed between the gear 31 and a countershaft pinion 34. The clutch spring is of the overrunning or one-way type adapted to cause clutch engagement of the gear 31.

and shaft 32 to transmit drive to the pinion 34. The pinion 34 meshes with the output gear 35 keyed to the output shaft 39. Disposed between the input pinion 30 and the output gear 34 is a clutch spring 36 of an overrunning or one-way type which is held in overrunning condition by an actuating rod 37 connected to a solenoid 38, the actuating rod engaging a tab at one end of the. coil clutch spring 36 to prevent clutch engagement of the spring as shown in FIG. 4.

In the low speed condition of the transmission, drive is transmitted from the input shaft 29 to the input pinion Eli, countershaft gear 31, clutch spring 33, countershaft 3 32, countershaft pinion 34-, output gear 35, and thence to the output shaft 39. In the high speed condition of the transmission, the solenoid is operated to disengage its actuating rod 37 from the tab of the clutch spring 36 so that power transmitted to the input shaft 2% causes rotation of the input pinion 3d and, due to the coupling connection of the clutch spring 36 with the gear 35 and output shaft 39, power is transmitted directly from the input pinion 3% through the clutch spring 36 to the output gear 35 and output shaft 3?. Due to the high speed rotation of the countershaft gear 31, this gear overruns the clutch spring 33 and is inoperative to transmit drive to the output shaft.

In the operation of the washer, when the transmission is in its low speed ratio, energization of the low speed 6-pole winding of the electric motor provides a washing.

or tumbling speed of rotation of the basket of 47.5 rpm. When the high speed 4-pole winding of the electric motor is energized in the low speed condition of the transmission, the basket is rotated at a speed of 73 r.p.m. for clothes distribution about the cylindrical surface of the basket. When the 6-pole low speed winding of the electric motor is energized and the transmission is in its high speed ratio, the basket rotates at 255 rpm. to provide a first centrifugal water extraction speed of the basket for drying the clothes. When the high speed 4-pole Winding of the electric motor is energized and the transmission is in its high speed condition, second high speed centrifugal water extraction speed of 385 rpm. of the basket is obtained for providing a more effective drying of the clothes.

As seen in FIGS, 1 and 4, a plurality of baffies are provided on the inner periphery of the basket 18 for lifting the clothes as the basket is rotated. The basket 13 has a plurality of openings 40 therein. The basket 13 is further provided with a front opening 41 spaced from the opening 14 of the front wall of the casing 11. An annular ring 42 is suitably attached to the front wall 12 of the casing 11 and a second annular ring 43 of larger diameter is attached to the ring 42 and spaced therefrom by a pin or rivet 44. The rear wall of the basket 18 is provided with a plurality of openings 45 formed by the spider 19. The frontoi the basket it; has a flange 46 defining the opening 41 and the front wall 12 of the casing 11 has a plurality of bearing rollers 47 secured thereto and located with respect to the basket as shown in FIG. 3 so that the front of the basket is supported by the rollers.

An automatic water supply system includes a supply tube 48 located above and supported on the casing or tub 11 and extending downwardly between the front walls of the casing and cabinet and having one end positioned within the front opening 41 in the basket and terminating in a spray nozzle 413a for spraying water into the basket. Thetube 43 is connected to a valve 49 to supply hot or warm water from the conduits t and 51, respectively, to the interior of the casing 11. The valve 49 has solenoids 135 and 158 operative to control the valve to supply washing and rinsing liquid at a selected temperature to the interior of the casing 11.

To drain the tub, the tub'is provided with a sump 52 having a drain pump 53 mounted on the bottom of the tub. The pump 53 has its inlet port adapted to receive the water draining by gravity from the tub and to discharge the ivater through a suitable drain hose 54. The pump is controlled by a clutch 56 operable by a solenoid 146 110 control the discharge of the drain water. The pump is of the type which is effective, only when the solenoid is deenergized, to perform its function to discharge the water in the tub into the drain hose. The pump is driven by a pulley 57, a belt 53, and a pulley 59' connected to the drive shaft o'f the motor 28-.

A water level pressure switch 114 is located in the bottom of the tub and automatically controls the water level. The switch is of well-known construction and includes a single pole, double-throw switch actuated from its first position, when the machine is substantially empty, to a second position when the machine is filled to a desired level. The switch 11-4 is a safety feature against overfilling during tumble spray rinses and spin spray rinses.

A coin-meter as is positioned on the top of the washer and, when a suitable number of coins have been inserted in the meter, a master control switch 1% is closed to initiate operation of the washer. The eye es of operation of the machine are controlled by a wash timer assembly located in thebackguard or" the machine and which controls the machine during the wash period} The timer switch assembly is effective to control the operation of the washer to provide continuous and consecutive automatic washing cycles of the washer.

For the purpose of describing the automatic operations of the machine, reference is made to FIG. 5 illustrating a schematic electrical wiring diagram and to FIG. 6 illustrating a sequence control cam chart. The wash timer may be of the rotary timer type such as illustrated and described in US. Patent 2,703,347, issued March 1, 1955, and in the form of a sequential controller for automatically con-trolling machines, such as laundry equipment, and incorporating a device operated by a suitable electric motor and capable of delivering an intermittent or step-by-step motion from a source of constant rotary motion for the purpose of opening and closing a multiple of electrical circuits in a predetermined timed relation.

Referring now to the schematic electrical diagram of FIG. 5, a control system is shown for the automatic washer and including a motor TM of the sequential controller or timer and a series of switches actuated in the desired sequences by appropriate switch operating mechanism so that each switch can be actuated to open and closed positions by means, such as cams. As each switch oi the sequential controller is connected to an actuating means, each switch can be opened or closed as a function of time as indicated by the heavy black lines on the cam diagram shown in FIG. 6. The cam chart is provided with a scale for the time in minutes necessary to periodically advance the cams in a forward direction. In other words, the chart of FIG. 6 may be regarded as a development of the peripheries of the respective switch operating means, the heavy lines showing the cam rises effective to close the respective switches. For example, the cam controlling the spin clutch solenoid switch to energize the solenoid of the transmission clutch spring as, causes the switch to open on the time scale from 0 to 12 minutes of the washing cycle, closed at 12 minutes, opened at 13 minutes, closed at 20 minutes, opened at 21 minutes, closed at 24 minutes and opened at about 28 minutes. it may be noted that the timer includes a master cam continuously rotatable for a period of 30 minutes beginning with the initiating of t e Wash period on the cam chart and this cam controls the functions and operation of all other cams controlling switches, including the timer motor switch shown in FIG. 5, effective to energize the electrically controlled components of the machine in a predetermined sequence during the 30 minute period. All of the cam-actuated switches are arranged in the electrical control circuit to be actuated periodically by the master cam during the operational cycle of the machine. As will be presently more particularly described the pressure switch 114 controls the initial filling of the tub with water, at which time, the timer first becomes energized to begin and continue the various washing cycles of the machine as depicted in FIG. 6 for the entire 30 minute washing period.

The operation of the control arrangement will be readily understood by a consideration of a typical sequence of operation. Referring to FIG. 5, in the Oil position of the machine, the contacts of the 'master control switch 10%), the Rinse switch 192, the Spin light switch 1&3, timer motor switch 184, spin clutch solenoid switch 165, and rinse water switch res, the pump clutch (drain) solenoid switch Vii-ll, the wash water switch 121, and contacts 197 and 108 of drive motor switch 167, and the Wash light switch 1131 are in the open position. In addition, the movable contact arm 11 2 is engaged with the fixed contact 113 of the water level pressure switch 114 indicated as the Empty condition of the washer tub.

Now assuming the washer has been loaded with soiled clothing, the operator rotates the knob of a water selector switch 115 on the backguard to choose either the Hot water or Warm water setting by engaging the movable contact arm 116 with the fixed Hot water contact 117 or the fixed Warm water contact 118.

When the operator closes the door, movable contact arm 11 9 of the door switch 120 is disengaged from contact 121 and engages contact 122. The operator then deposits the required value of coins in the meter 60 to initiate operation of the machine. At this time, the meter operates to cause the contacts of master control switch 100 to close to establish a circuit energizing the 6-pole low speed winding of the drive motor DM and, as the transmission is in its low speed conditiomthe basket rotates at a speed of 47.5 r.p.m. The motor circuit includes line L1, conductor 123; closed contacts 119 and 122 of door switch 120, conductor 124, drive motor protector 125, closed contacts of the master control switch 100, conductor 126, closed contacts 107 and 108 of the single pole double throw switch 109, conductor 127, contacts149 and 150 of switch 151, conductor 152, normally closed contact sets 200 and 201 to start winding 128, and high speed 4-pole winding 129 of motor DM, conductor 130 to line L2. Contact sets 200 and 2111 of a conventional switch operated by centrifugal switch are normally closed, and contact set 202 is open, when the motor is stopped. Thus the high-speed 4-pole winding is coupled (over contact set 201) in parallel with start winding 128 when the motor is at rest, and windings 128 and 129 form, in effect, a composite start winding for energization over contact set 200 to effect initial rotation of the motor. As the motor approaches the low speed, contact sets 200 and 201 open, and contact set 202 closes, to energize the low-speed 6-pole winding 153 with energy received over conductor 152. Closing of switch 100 also establishes a circuit for operating the assumed selected hot water valve to fill the tub with Water, the circuit including line L1, conductor 123, contacts 119 and 122 of switch 120, conductor 124, motor protector 125, switch 100, conductor 126, conductor 131, closed contacts 112 and 113 of switch 114, conductor 132, switch 111, conductor 133, closed cont-acts 116 and 117 of switch 115, conductor 134, coil 135 of the hot water valve solenoid, conductors 136, 137, and 133,.to line L2. Also a parallel circuit is provided to light the Wash lamp on the 'backguard of the machine, the circuit including conductors 136 and 139, filament 140 of the ?Wash lamp, conductor 141, Wash light switch 101 to conductor 131.

As the hot water valve solenoid is energized, hot water is admitted to the tub until the water in the tub reaches a predetermined level sufiicient to operate the water level pressure switch 114 to move its contact 112 from the contact 113 and into engagement with its contact 142. At this time, the circuit to the hot water solenoid winding 135 is interrupted and the timer motor TM is energized. The master cam of the timer maintains the switch 110 in closed position during the water fill of the tub and the Wash period to energize the pump clutch (drain) solenoid winding 146 to prevent drainage of the wash water by the pump, this circuit including conductor 131, switch 110, conductor 145, winding 146 of the drain solenoid, conductor 130 to line L2. I

Reference can now be made to the cam chart of FIG. 6 for an explanation of washing cycle of the machine. The timer motor is energized by establishing a circuit including line L1, conductor 123, contacts 119 and 122 of switch 120, conductor 124, motor protector 125,

switch 100, conductors 126 and 131, closed contacts 112 and 142 of switch 114, conductor 143, winding of timer motor TM, conductors 144 and 138 to line L2. As shown in the cam chart, the Wash period indicated as (l) is 11 /2 minutes during which the clothes are tumbled by the basket rotation at 47.5 r.p.m. At the conclusion of this period, the timer motor has advanced its master cam to a position closing the timer motor switch 104 for continued operation of the timer.

Upon the conclusion of the Wash period (1) and in the subsequent 30 second period (2), the clothes continue to tumble in the basket and the pump clutch (drain) solenoid winding 146 is deenergized by opening the contacts of the switch 110 to control operation of the pump to drain the used wash water from the machine. As previously described, deenergization of the pump clutch (drain) solenoid causes the pump to be, come operative to drain the water from the tub. As the water is drained, the contacts 112 and 142 of the water level switch 114 disengage and contacts 112 and 113 engage but, since the wash water switch 111 has previously been opened by the timer master cam, the hot water valve solenoid winding 135 remains deenergized. f

From an inspection of the camchart, it will be seen that the pump remains operative to drain water from the tub for 10 minutes from lllminutes to 21 minutes during which the basket is rotated at different speeds for tumbling and distributing the clothesin the basket and for extracting the wash water and rinse water from the clothing. In addition, the timer cam closes switch 102 to indicate the particular machine operation to the operator during this period. The Wash light circuit has been previously described. The Rinse light circuit includes conductor 131, switch 102, conductor 141a, filament of the Rinse lamp, conductors 137 and 138 to line L2.

During the Tumble-Drain /2 minute period (2), the clothes are tumbled at a basket speed of 47.5 r.p.m. During the following /2 minute Dist-Drain period (3), the 6-pole winding 153 of the motor is deenergized and the 4-pole winding master cam effecting movement of the contact arm 16 8 of the switch 109 to break the circuit energizing the 6- pole winding 153 of the motor, and to energize the 4- pole winding 129 of the motor by establishing a circuit including contacts 108 and 147 of switch 109, conductor 148, the 4-pole winding of motor DM, conductor 130 to line L2. As a consequence, the basket speed of rotation is advanced from 47.5 r.p.m. to 73 r.p.m. to eifectively distribute the clothes for traction of the wash water from the clothes for a 1 minute period (4).

At the end of the Dist. Drain period (3), the timer motor has operated to advance its cam to open contacts 108 and 147 of switch 109 and to close contacts 108 and 107 of this switch to break the circuit energizing the 4-pole winding 129 of the motor and to reestablish the circuit energizing the 6-pole winding 153 of the motor. In addition, at the same time, the timer motor cam closes the switch to provide a circuit energizing the winding 157 of the spin solenoid 38 to cause the transmission clutch 36 to be opera-ted to shift the transmission into a higher speed ratio (255 r.p.m.). This circuit includes line L1, conductor 123, closed contacts 119' and 122 of door switch 120, conductor 124, motor protector 125, switch 100, conductors 126 and 131, contacts 112 and 113 of switch 114, conductor 132, switch 105, conductor 154, closed contacts of switch 155, conductor 156, winding 157 of the spin clutch solenoid, conductor to line L2. Accordingly, during the Centrifugal-Drain 1 minute period (4), the basket rotates at a speed of 255 r.p.m. while the extracted wash water drains from the tub.

Upon the conclusion of period (4) and for the subsequent Tumble-Rinse-Drain 1 minute period (5), the timer causes its cam to rotate to open the circuit ener- 129 is energized by the timer' the subsequent centrifugal exgizing the spin solenoid Winding 157 to disengage clutch 36 to thereby automatically cause rotation of the basket at a clothes tumbling speed of 47.5 r.p.m., and also to establish a circuit for energizing the warm water valve solenoid 158 to direct warm rinse water into the tub. To energize the solenoid winding 158, the timer closes switch 106 to provide a circuit including conductor 131', closed contacts 112 and 113 of switch 114; conductor 132; switch 1%; conductors 159 and 160; winding 158; and conductors 136, 137, 138 to line L2.

Beginning with the next "Distribute-Rinse-Drain 6 minute period (6), the timer cam maintains the circuit of the warm water valve solenoid winding 158 for continued rinsing of the clothes while again opening contacts 107 and 108 of switch 109 and closing contacts 108 and 147 to reestablish the circuit for energizing the 4-pole winding 129 of the drive motor to provide rotation of the basket at a clothes distribution speed of 73 r.p.m.

, Thereafter, during the following Centrif.-Drain 1 minute period (7), the timer cam is effective to open the contacts 111% and 14701 switch 1119 and close contacts 108 and 167 to energize the 6-pole winding 153 of the drive motor; to close switch 105 to energize the spin solenoid winding 157 to engage the high speed clutch of the transmission to effect rotationof the basket at an extraction speed of 255 r,p.'m., and to open switch 1116 to deenergize the solenoid winding 158 to prevent the flow of warm water into the tub.

Thereafter in the Deep Rinse /2 minute period (8), the timer cam is operative to close switch 106 to again energize the Warm water valve solenoid winding 158; to close the pump clutch solenoid swtich 119 to render the pump inoperative allowing the Washer tub to fill with rinse water; and to disengage contacts 1% and 147 of switch 1119 and engage contacts 1118 and 1117 to energize the low speed 6-pole winding of the drive motor to rotate the basket at 47.5 r.p.m. At this time, the timer cam operates to open the switch 104 to deenergize the timer motor. When the contact arm 112 of the pressure switch 114 is moved from contact 113 to contact 142 by the water reaching a predetermined level in. the tub, the timer motor is again energized. This operation is provided for deep rinsing the clothes.

In the following /2 minute period (9), the timer cam opens the switch 111) to render the pump operative to effect drainage of the rinse water from the tub and opens switch 106 to deenergize the warm water solenoid winding 158 while the clothes are tumbled at the basket speed of 47.5 r.p.m.

In the next one minute machine operation period (10), the clothes are again distributed in the basket by the timer cam closing contacts 1138 and 147 of switch 1th? and opening contacts 107 and 11153 to energize the 4-pole winding of the drive motor to rotate the basket at 73 r.p.m. In addition, the rinse water switch 1% is closed by the timer cam to cause the flow of rinse water into the machine and to be drained by the pump.

In the next /2 minute period (11), the timer cam again operates switch 169 to shift contact arm 108 from the contact 147 to the contact 1177 to rotate the basket at 47 r.p.m., while also operating the switch 166 to prevent the flow of rinsewater to the machine.

Another /2 minute period (12) of distribution of the clothes follows in which the timer cam shifts contact arm 108 from the contact 1l7 to the contact 147 to energize the 4-p'ole winding of the motor. 7

In the following periods (13 and 14), the basket speed of rotation is gradually increased from 255 r.p.m. to 385 rpm. to centrifugally extract water from the clothes. The first period (13) is for l/z minute when the timer cam has moved contact arm 1118 to engage contact 1117 for energizing the 6-pole winding of the drive motor, and also closed the spin solenoid switchitlS to render the high speed clutch of the transmission. effective to provide basket rotational speed of 255 r.p.m. The second period (14) of 5 minutes is characterized by the timer cam moving contact arm 1118 to engage contact 147 to energize the 4-pole winding of the drive motor to rotate the basket at 385 r.p.m.

In the final stage of machine operation, the timer cam is effective to open all switches under its control and thus permit the basket to gradually decrease in speed and stop to complete the 30 minute washing cycle of the machine.

It will be noted from the above description of the electrical control system that the timer motor is continually operative, exceptthe /2 minute Deep Rinse period (8), during the sequential cycles of the machine as depicted in the cam chart. In this respect, it will be noted that operation of the timer motor is not controlled by the door switch 120, as power is transmitted from line L1 over conductor 123 to conductor 1%, timer motor switch 194, conductor 191, timer motor TM, conductor 144, conductor 13% to line L2. Accordingly, even though the contacts 119 and 122 of the door switch areopen, when the door is open, the timer continues to operate and ad-' vance its master cam. However, the door switch 120 is operative to provide a master control to stop machine operation at any time during the sequential cycles as the current from line L1 must flow through the contacts 119 and 122 of the door switch to energize the various electrically operated components of the machine controlling its functions during the cycles. Considering these two fundamental concepts, it will be apparent that, should the operator open the door at any time during the machine operation, the machine will stop while the timer con tinues to operate the cams, except during the Deep Rinse period (8).

In the event the operator should open the door during machine operation, stoppage of the machine will cause the basket to cease rotation and the clothes will drop to the bottom of the basket. Subsequent closure of the door and continuance of machine operation when the timer cam has advanced to a position, for example, closing the contaots of the switch ms to energize the high speed clutch of the transmission when the contacts 108 and 167 or 1% and 147 of the switch 1119 are closed, will cause the basket to be suddenly rotated from a stopped position to a speed of 255 r.p.m. or 385 r.p.m. When this condition occurs, the clothes in the basket fail to tumble or distribute in the basket and remain as a solid mass against a fractional localized area of the basket during the high speed rotation of the basket with the resultant unbalance causing the basket to gyrate violently with consequent damage to the machine.

The present invention is directed to a control arrangement for preventing undesired high speed rotation of the washer basket from a stopped position. In the broadest concept of the invention, the improved control arrangement contemplates any means for accomplishing this pre verrtative feature. As one example of such control arrangement and for purpose of illustration, when the door switch is open to stop machine operation and the contacts of the spin clutch solenoid switch are closed by advance of the timer cam for high speed rotartion of the basket at 255 r.p.m. or 385 r.p.m., there is provided an electrical control arrangement cooperating with the sequential controller or timer to remove power from the switch 105 to condition the transmission for its low speed operation, and also to complete a circuit effective to condition the composite start winding, including start winding 128 and the 4-pole winding 129 of the drive motor for energization when the door switch is closed. When the door switch is again closed, the winding 129 of the drive motor is energized to provide a speed of 73 r.p.m. to the basket and subsequently, when this speed is attained, the spin clutch solenoid 157 is energiezd to provide a basket rotational speed of 385 r.p.m. 1

- More particularly, the electrical control arrangement includes a switch 161 having a fixed contact 162 and a bi-metallic movable arm provided with a contact 163 and a surrounding coil 165 adapted, upon power flow therethrough, to move the arm \to separate the normally closed contacts 162 and 163; a solenoid-operated relay 166 havinga coil 167 energizable to move its core to engage normally open contacts 168 and 169 and to open normally closed contacts 170 and 171 of switch 155, and to move the contact arm 150 of switch 151 from its normally engaged position with the contact 149 into engagement with contact 172; and a relay switch 173 operable by the timer cam to close the contacts of switch 173 whenever the cam closes the contacts of the switch 105.

Now, by way of example and assuming the operator opens the door of the machine during the ninth minute of the 11 minute Wash period 1), the door switch opens to discontinue operation of the machine, although the timer remains operative to close and open the various control switches in the predetermined sequences previously described. Thereafiter, the operator closes the door when the timer cam has been advanced by the timer into the Centrifugal-Drain period ('4) and is operative to close the spin clutch solenoid switch 105 to condition the transmission to rotate the stopped basket at the high speed of 255 rpm. When the door is opened, contacts 119 and 121 of the switch 120 close and a circuit is established to energize the winding 167 of the relay 166, this circuit including the line L1, conductor 123, contacts 121 and 119 of door switch 120, closed contactsof the relay switch 173, conductor 175, coil 167 of solenoid relay 166, conductors 176 and 138 to line L2. When the coil 167 of the relay 166 is energized, switch 155 opens, breaking the circuit to the winding 157 of the spin clutch solenoid; contact 151) disengages contact 149 and engages contact 172 of switch 151 to insure continuance of the circuit, including the door switch contacts 119 and 122, for energizing the 4-pole winding 129 of the drive motor when the door is closed; and contacts 168 and 169 close to pro vide a holding voltage to the energized solenoid relay winding 167 through the normally closed contacts 162 and 163 of the switch 161. This holding circuit includes line L1, conductor 123, closed contacts 168 and 169 of relay 166, conductor 177, closed contacts 163 and 162 of switch 161, conductors 178 and 175, coil 167 of relay 166, conductors 176 and 138 to line L2.

It will be noted from an inspection of FIG. 6 that the timer master cam is eifective to close the contacts of the delay relay switch 173 whenever the cam is operative to close the switch 105 and thus the delay, relay 166 is energized when the door is closed after a previous door opening by the operator to stop the washer operation.

It will be apparent that the improved control arrangement is effective to prevent energization of the spin-clutch solenoid coil 157 and to condition the transmission and drive motor for low speed (73 rpm.) rotation of the' basket. Operation of switch 151 to open contacts 149 and 150 avoids any possibility of energizing the6-pole low speed winding 153 of the drive motor and closing contacts 150 and 172 insures energization of the 4-pole high speed winding 129 of the drive motor upon closure of the door.

When the door is closed, the door switch contacts 119 and 121 open and contacts 119 and 122 close to remove voltage from the contacts of the delay relay switch 173 closed by the timer cam. However, the relay winding 167 remains energized by the holding voltage applied to the relay winding by the closed contacts 162 and 163 of switch 161. Immediately upon reclosing of the door, voltage is applied to the heater coil 165 of switch 161 by a circuit including line L1, conductor 123, closed contacts 119 and 122 of door switch 120, conductors 174 and 179, coil 165, conductors 180 and 138 to line L2. Approximately 20 seconds after the door is reclosed and during which time the basket rotates at 73 r.p.m., the bimetallic arm 163 of switch 161 is heated by the coil 165 to an extent that the arm moves to open the contacts of the 10 switch 161 to remove the holding voltage on the solenoid relay winding 167 to thereby open the holding contacts 168 and 169; to disengage contacts and 172 and engage contacts 150 :and 149 of switch 151; and also close switch to energize the spin clutch solenoid to effect high speed rotation of the basket at 255 r.p.m.

While one example of a clothes-cleaning machine in the form of a Washer utilizing water as a cleaning agent, has been used to provide an explanation of our invention, it will be apparent that our improved electrical control arrangement is equally applicable to clothes-cleaning machines of the dry-cleaning type and using a solvent agent to clean clothes. Accordingly, our improved control arrangementmay be adapted to any clothes-cleaning machine and where it is effective to prevent high speed rotation of the basket immediately from a stopped condition of the basket after any time the door is opened during high speed rotation of the basket and the basket ceases to rotate, or when the door remains open for such time that the timer cam has advanced to condition the transmission and/ or drive motor for high speed rotation of the basket.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be obvious to those skilledin the art that various changes and modificat'ons may be made therein without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is: p I

1. In a cleaning machine a container; a casing for said container and having a door providing access to said container; a drive motor; speed-changing mechanism driven by the motor for operating the'container at low and high speeds; a first double throw switch controlled by said door and having a first position, when said door is closed, to establish a first circuit for energizing said motor and having a second position to interrupt said cir- I cuit, when said door is open; an electro-magnetic device for controlling said speed change mechanism and effective, when deenergized, to provide low speed operation of said container and, when energized, to provide high speed operation of said container; a second switch and a normally closed third switch in series with said first switch in the first position thereof for controlling energization and deenergization of said device; a sequential controller having a motor and cam means driven thereby; a circuit for energizing said controller motor to continuously operate said controller motor for operating said cam means to sequentially open and close said second switch for energization and deenergization of said device to provide high and low speed operations of said container; and electrical-control meansincluding a fourth switch closable by said cam means when closing said second switch, and a relay energizable, during closure of said fourth switch and closure of said first switch in the second position thereof when said door is open, to open said third switch to delay energizationof said device when said door is thereafter movedtrom open to closed position to energize said drive motor and said sequential controller cam means is operative to close said second switch.

2. In a cleaning machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrical control means includes time delay means for deenergizing said relay to close said third switch and to 7 thereby energize said device after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

3. In a cleaning machine, a container, a casing for said container and having a door providing access to said container; a drive motor having an energizing circuit; speedchanging mechanism driven by the motor for operating the container at low and high speeds; an electro-magnetic device for controlling said speed change mechanism and ellective, when deenergized, to provide low speed operation of said container and, when energized, to provide high speed operation of said container; a first switch controlled by said door and having a first position, in the closed position of said door inwhich the switch is con- I nected in series with said mdtor in said energizing :cir-

cuit, and having a second position, in the open position of said door, to interrupt said circuit and establish a second circuit; a second switch and a normally closed third switch in series with the first switch in the first position thereof to establish a third circuit for controlling energization and deenergization of said device; a sequential controller having a motor and cam means driven thereby; a fourth circuit for energizing said controller motor to continuously operate said motor to sequentially open and close said second switch for energization and deenergization of said device to provide high and low speeds of said speed change mechanism; and electricalcontrol means in said second circuit and energizable, in the open position of said door, to open said third switch to delay energization of said device when said door is subsequently closed to energize said drive motor and said sequential controller cam means is operative to close said second switch.

4. In a cleaning machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said electrical-control means includes a relay having holding contacts in a fifth circuit to maintain said relay energized, and means for interrupting said fifth circuit to deenergize said relay after a period of time of predetermined duration has elapsed.

5. In a cleaning machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said electrical control means includes a relay having holding contacts in a fifth circuit to maintain said relay energized, and thermal-responsive means operative to interrupt said fifth circuit to deenergize said relay after a period of time of predetermined duration has elapsed.

6. in a cleaning machine, a container; a casing enclosing said container and having a door providing access to said container; a two speed transmission for operating said container; an electric drive motor connected to said transmission; a clutch operable to shift said transmission from low speed to high speed; electrical-control means for said clutch including, in series relation, a solenoid energizable to operate said clutch, first switch means operable to energize and deenergize said solenoid; and control means, including a second solenoid, operative to open said first switch means to deenergize said clutch-operating solenoid; a normally open second switch in series with said first switch means and closable to energize said second solenoid; time delay means including a normally open third switch closable upon energization of said second solenoid to provide a circuit in parallel with said second switch to energize said second solenoid; manually-controlled svwitch means operative, in a first position thereof to control electrical power flow to and through said first switch to energize said clutch-operating solenoid, and, in a second position thereof, being operative to control electric-al power flow, when said second switch is closed, to energize said second solenoid and a timer motor having rotatable cam means and energized to rotate said cam means to control operation of said second switch, so that, when said manually-controlled switch means is in its first position, operation of said first switch means to closed and open positions energizes and deenergizes said clutchoperating solenoid, and, when said manually-controlled switch means is in its second position, closure of said second switch energizes said second solenoid of said control means to open said first switch means to deenergize said clutch-operating solenoid, and thereafter, operation of said manually-controlled switch means to its first position being effective to interrupt power flow through said second switch to interrupt one of the energizing circuits of the second solenoid of said control means and thereafter to rendersaid time delay means effective, after a period of time has elapsed, to open said parallel circuit to said second solenoid.

7. in a cleaning machine, a container; a casing enclosing said container and having a door providing access to said container; an electric drive motor for operating said container and having a low speed winding and a high speed winding; electrical-control means for said motor including a first switch having a contact arm operable to first and second positions to selectively control energization of said motor windings and in the first position thereof providing an energizing circuit for said low speed motor winding, and a second switch in series relation to said contact arm of said first switch in the first position thereof and having a contact arm operable to first and second positions to selectively control energization of said windings and being normally disposed in its first position to provide, in the first position of said first switch, an energizing circuit for said low speed winding of said motor and movable to its second position to interrupt said energizing circuit for said motor low speed winding and to establish an energizing circuit forsaid high speed winding of said motor; control means, including a solenoid, operative to move said contact arm of said second switch to its second position, and a third normally open switch closable to energize said solenoid of said control means; time delay means including a normally open fourth switch closable upon energization of said solenoid of said control means to provide a holding circuit to energize said solenoid; a fifth switch having a contact arm movable to first and second positions by opening and closing of said door and, in the closed position of said door, said contact arm being in its first position to control electrical power flow to energize said motor windings, and, in the open position of said door, said contact arm being in its second position to control electrical power flow, when said third switch is closed, to energize said solenoid of said control means, and a timer motor having rotatable cam means and continuously energized to rotate said cam means to control operation of said first switch and said third switch, so that, when said fifth switch is in its first position, operation of said contact arm of said first switch to its first and second positions energizes said motor low and high speed windings respectively and, when said fifth switch is in its second position, closure of said third switch energizes said solenoid of said control means to move the contact arm of said second switch to its second position to energize the motor high speed winding, closure of said door thereafter being effective to open said fifth switch to interrupt one energizing circuit of the solenoid of said control means and to render said time delay means effective, after a period of time has elapsed, to open said holding circuit to deenergize the solenoid of the control means.

8. in a cleaning machine, a container; a casing enclosing said container and having a door providing access to said container; a two speed transmission for operating said container; an electric drive motor connected to said transmission; a clutch operable to shift said transmission from low speed to high speed; electrical-control means for said clutch including, in series relation, a solenoid energizable to operate said clutch, a first switch operable to energize and deenergize said solenoid, and a second normally-closed switch; control means, including a solenoid operative to open said second switch, and a third normally open switch closable to energize said solenoid of said control means; time delay means including a normally open fourth switch closable upon energization of said solenoid of said control means to complete a holding circuit for said solenoid of said control means; a fifth switch having a contact arm movable to first and second positions by opening and closing of said door and, in the closed position of said door, said contact arm being in its first position to control electrical power flow to energize said clutch-operating solenoid and said motor, and, in the open position of said door, said contact arm being in its second position to control electrical power flow to energize said solenoid of said control means, and a timer motor having rotatable cam means and continuously ener gized to rotate said cam means to control operation of said first switch and said third switch so that, when said fifth switch is in its first position, operation of said first switch to closed and open positions energizes and deenergizes said clutch-operating solenoid, and, when said fifth switch is in its second position, closure of said third switch energizes said solenoid of said control means to open said second switch to prevent energization of said clutch-operating solenoid, closure of said door thereafter being effective to open the circuit to said third switch to interrupt the energizing circuit of the solenoid of said control means and to render said time delay means effective, after a period of time has elapsed to open said holding circuit to deenergize the solenoid of the control means.

9. In a cleaning machine, a container; a casing enclosing said container and having a door providing access to said container; a two speed transmission for operating said container; an electric drive motor connected to said transmission; a clutch operable to shift said transmission from low speed to high speed; electrical-control means for said clutch including, in series relation, a solenoid energizable to operate said clutch, a first switch operable to energize and deenergize said solenoid, and a second normally-closed switch; a solenoid-operated relay energizable to open said second switch; a third normally open switch in series with said relay solenoid and clos-able to energize said relay solenoid; means providing a holding circuit for said relay including a normally closed fourth switch, and a normally open fifth switch operable by said relay upon energization of the solenoid thereof to establish said holding circuit, including said fourth switch, for said relay; time delay means energizable to open said fourth switch; a sixth switch having a contact arm movable to first and second positions by opening and closing of said door and, in the closed position of said door, said of said first switch to closed and open positions energizes and deenergizes said clutch-operating solenoid, and, when said sixth switch is in its second position, closure of said third switch energizes said relay solenoid to open said second switch to prevent energization of said clutchoperating solenoid, said energized relay being etfective to close said fifth switch to provide said holding circuit for said relay, closure of said door thereafter being elfective to establish an energizing circuit for said time delay means to open said fourth switch to interrupt the holding circuit for said relay, after a period of time has elapsed, to deenergize said relay solenoid.

10. In a cleaning machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said fourth switch is a thermally responsive switch and said time delay means is a heater associated with said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,003,090 Neyhouse et a1 Oct. 3, 196-1 3,017,030 Alexander et al Jan. 16, 1962 3,049,655 Long et al Aug. 14, 1962 

1. IN A CLEANING MACHINE A CONTAINER; A CASING FOR SAID CONTAINER AND HAVING A DOOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAID CONTAINER; A DRIVE MOTOR; SPEED-CHANGING MECHANISM DRIVEN BY THE MOTOR FOR OPERATING THE CONTAINER AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS; A FIRST DOUBLE THROW SWITCH CONTROLLED BY SAID DOOR AND HAVING A FIRST POSITION, WHEN SAID DOOR IS CLOSED, TO ESTABLISH A FIRST CIRCUIT FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR AND HAVING A SECOND POSITION TO INTERRUPT SAID CIRCUIT, WHEN SAID DOOR IS OPEN; AN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SAID SPEED CHANGE MECHANISM AND EFFECTIVE, WHEN DEENERGIZED, TO PROVIDE LOW SPEED OPERATION OF SAID CONTAINER AND, WHEN ENERGIZED, TO PROVIDE HIGH SPEED OPERATION OF SAID CONTAINER; A SECOND SWITCH AND A NORMALLY CLOSED THIRD SWITCH IN SERIES WITH SAID FIRST SWITCH IN THE FIRST POSITION THEREOF FOR CONTROLLING ENERGIZATION AND DEENERGIZATION OF SAID DEVICE; A SEQUENTIAL CONTROLLER HAVING A MOTOR AND CAM MEANS DRIVEN THEREBY; A CIRCUIT FOR ENERGIZING SAID CONTROLLER MOTOR TO CONTINUOUSLY OPERATE SAID CONTROLLER MOTOR FOR OPERATING SAID CAM MEANS TO SEQUENTIALLY OPEN AND CLOSE SAID SECOND SWITCH FOR ENERGIZATION AND DEENERGIZATION OF SAID DEVICE TO PROVIDE HIGH AND LOW SPEED OPERATIONS OF SAID CONTAINER; AND ELECTRICAL-CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING A FOURTH SWITCH CLOSABLE BY SAID CAM MEANS WHEN CLOSING SAID SECOND SWITCH, AND A RELAY ENERGIZABLE, DURING CLOSURE OF SAID FOURTH SWITCH AND CLOSURE OF SAID FIRST SWITCH IN THE SECOND POSITION THEREOF WHEN SAID DOOR IS OPEN, TO OPEN SAID THIRD SWITCH TO DELAY ENERGIZATION OF SAID DEVICE WHEN SAID DOOR IS THEREAFTER MOVED FROM OPEN TO CLOSED POSITION TO ENERGIZE SAID DRIVE MOTOR AND SAID SEQUENTIAL CONTROLLER CAM MEANS IS OPERATIVE TO CLOSE SAID SECOND SWITCH. 